Oh, say, can you hear?

Musicians hope to score big with each performance of the national anthem

Amidst the daylong cacophony of Super Bowl Sunday, one moment of reflective calm arrives when a singer, instrumentalist or choir steps to the microphone to perform the National Anthem.

For the players, it’s a time to reflect.

“You remember the things you’re thankful for and the things that have gotten you to this point,” said Saints quarterback Drew Brees, MVP of Super Bowl XLIV in 2010. “Once it’s over, you’re ready to play the game.”

For the performer, it can be a moment of abject terror.

“I remember standing on the sideline with (NFL commissioner) Pete Rozelle,” said Tom Sullivan, who sang the anthem at Super Bowl X in 1976. “He put his hand on my shoulder and said, ‘Boy, there are 90 million people watching. Don’t screw up.’ ”

The song has been performed by marching bands, pop stars and operatic sopranos. By trumpet players, choirs of varying stripes and, at Super Bowl IV, recited by actor Pat O’Brien. Some renditions were revered, some forgettable, some strikingly unique. Some lasted a minute and change, some ventured past two minutes of ruffles and flourishes.

However, even on Super Bowl Sunday — other than remembering all the words — there are no rules for singing America’s National Anthem.

“There’s a ‘Star-Spangled Banner’ for everyone,” said University of Michigan professor and anthem historian Mark Clague. “It would be a tragedy if it were legislated how the song should be performed. If that happened, singing the anthem would be an act of obedience, and it would lose the power to express love of country. A democracy has to put up with versions that some people find off key.”

One particular version, however, draws universal acclaim: Whitney Houston’s performance at Super Bowl XXV in 1991, at the dawn of the first Gulf War, before a flag-waving crowd in Tampa.

“It was the first time I saw players crying during the National Anthem,” said Kenneth Davis, a former Texas high school star who played in four Super Bowls with the Buffalo Bills. “We were in the middle of a war in Iraq, and when she sang and the jets flew over, it put chills in your body."

Whitney’s version was the top choice of the Chronicle’s panel of judges — musicians, sportscasters, team and league executives, entertainers and historians — who reviewed the 47 anthem versions available on videotape.

Also in the consensus top 10 were the performances by Beyonce (at Super Bowl XXXVIII in Houston in 2004), Luther Vandross, Jennifer Hudson, the combined choirs from U.S. military academies, Diana Ross, Cher, Natalie Cole, Wynton Marsalis and the Dixie Chicks.

Thirty-eight renditions received at least one top 10 vote, which reflects the degree to which listeners hear the song in a different light.

But even in such a diverse crowd, Whitney’s rendition stands alone, which is particularly interesting since it almost didn’t happen.

Finding the key

Jim Steeg, who from 1979 through 2004 ran special events for the NFL, said Houston was scheduled to perform in 1988, but a new manager booked her for a tour of Australia during Super Bowl weekend.

She agreed to perform in 1988, but a new manager booked her for a tour of Australia during Super Bowl weekend.

She agreed to sing for the 1991 game but insisted on what was, at the time, a radical arrangement: performing the song in 4-4, rather than the traditional waltz 3-4 time.

Jahja Ling, who conducted the backing track as conductor of the Florida orchestra, said musicians were taken aback by the unconventional arrangement. So were some NFL officials.

“We sent the tape to the league office, and they didn’t like it, and we had to fight our way through that,” Steeg said. “I always thought it was special. When I first heard it, it blew me away.”

NFL officials for years have asked anthem performers to record the anthem and give the performer the option of singing live or having the recorded version played through the stadium sound system.

Because of the limited time for crews to set up the orchestra and Whitney’s podium at Tampa Stadium, which had among the smallest sidelines spaces in the NFL, Houston opted to go with the recorded version while also singing live into a dead microphone, said pregame producer Bob Best.

Whitney’s podium at Tampa Stadium, which had among the smallest sidelines spaces in the NFL, Houston opted to go with the recorded version while also singing live into a dead microphone, said pregame producer Bob Best.

“It was the greatest anthem,” said Ling who is now conductor of the San Diego Symphony. “It lifted your spirits, and her voice with the orchestra gave it a full range of color. It was the right performance at the right time, and the response was staggering. I listen to it today, and it still gives me goosebumps.”

Three years later, at Super Bowl XXVIII in Atlanta, Natalie Cole performed an even more radical arrangement that featured a gospel choir singing the middle portion of the anthem as Cole sang “America the Beautiful.”

“I didn’t want a run of the mill arrangement,” said Charles Floyd, who arranged the performance. “It seemed appropriate to have a singer like Natalie sing the song in a gospel style in a southern city. It brought a whole new layer of patriotism, a layer of Americanism.”

Sullivan, who was on the national board of Up With People and enlisted the group’s cast to sing with him in the bicentennial year of 1976, arranged the anthem in Greek chorus style — one line with the choir, one with him solo — before finishing the song in unison.

“I wanted the sense of all of us being involved,” he said. “It’s a hard song to sing. You have to pick the right places to breathe, and it needs to reflect the story of what Francis Scott Key saw – the cannonade, the ship, looking at the flag, the drama at the end ... is the flag still there?”

Indeed, the first verse ends with a question mark — “O, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave o’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?” One of the few to perform it in that light was Grammy Award-winning trumpet player Wynton Marsalis at Super Bowl XX in 1987.

Marsalis described his version as an “abstract modern” approach — more restrained than most, with dissonant bitonal piano chords played by Marcus Roberts. At the end, when most performers get louder, Marsalis played softer, leaving the impression, as the lyrics state, of a lingering question.

“I made it to be at the end like coming down,” he said. “I tried to take a different approach from how I heard other people do it.”

Courting stars

Steeg counts Whitney’s and Cole’s Super Bowl performances among his favorites, but he said his most significant anthem decision was asking Diana Ross to sing in her hometown of Detroit for Super Bowl XV in 1981.

“Pete Rozelle chucked and said, ‘OK, go get her, kid,’ ” Steeg said. “Shockingly, it happened, and that transformed everything. Once a star of that magnitude did it, other people decided it was OK.”

Ross sang acapella and implored the crowd, “Can we sing our National Anthem with authority? Sing with me.” It was a time when the anthem was a shared experience — a custom that has given way to a solo showcase for some of the country’s biggest entertainers.

The last year fans can clearly be heard singing along with the performer was when Billy Joel, the only solo performer to perform twice at a Super Bowl, sang it for the first time in 1989.

“The Super Bowl these days is not much different from a rock and roll extravaganza,” said Rice University historian Douglas Brinkley. “The fans’ singing was a civic venture. Now it’s the singer or the group putting on a show.”

Also, in the wake of 9/11, more performers approach the song in hymn-like fashion, slowing the tempo of a song that began life as an upbeat, rollicking drinking tune called “To Anacreon in Heaven” and for years was the province of marching bands.

“By becoming a performance piece, it features the celebrity, and all of our great singers now try to continue to breathe life in to this stodgy old chestnut,” said Robert Thompson, director of the Bleier Center Television and Popular Culture at Syracuse. “The old idea of common expression of patriotism and country was a nice idea, but that has been taken away.”

Unforgettable

The selection of the anthem singer, as with this year’s selection of Bryan, is always highly watched.

Steeg said Rozelle made the choice on a few occasions — Ladd in 1980, actress Leslie Easterbrook in 1982 and a San Francisco area children’s choir in 1983, and commssioner Paul Tagliabue asked Kathie Lee Gifford to sing in 1995.

Steeg could write a book on the selection process, as well as what happens around the performance. For instance, Neil Diamond aroused the ire of the Denver Broncos when he clapped New York Giants coach Bill Parcells on the back after performing at Super Bowl XXI. And Harry Connick Jr. was so nervous before performing at Super Bowl XXVI that he had his father on the field, mouthing the words for him as he sang.

“Mariah Carey (at Super Bowl XXXVI) was important,” Steeg said. “I had wanted her for years, but she had no interest. After 9/11, we had booked the Boston Pops to play and reached out to her people, and she accepted.

“At that moment in time, that was like having Whitney Houston. She (Carey) was the voice that we needed to hear.”

Each Super Bowl brings a new chapter with new memories, and now it’s Luke Bryan’s turn to join a small list of people who can reflect on a rare moment of national attention.

“That (Super Bowl XX) was a long time ago,” Marsalis said recently, chuckling. “But it’s always an honor to play the song.”

Ladd now lives in Boerne, near San Antonio, where she has launched a custom home design company with her husband, Brian Russell, still cherishes the memory.

“I remember, oh gosh, my mom and dad in South Dakota will be so proud,” she said. “It’s a moment I will never forget.”

Super song: Judges analyze the anthem

So, who had the best Super Bowl anthem?

Here are the choices of a panel of 16 musicians, journalists, league and team executives and historians for the best performances of “The Star-Spangled Banner” in Super Bowl history. Pointers were awarded on a 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis. First-place votes are in parenthesis.

Judges comments

Here are individual votes and comments by panelists who selected their 10 favorite Super Bowl performances of the National Anthem.

Scott Schreer

Composer, “NFL on Fox” theme

Whitney Houston (XVX)Still gives me the chills. The deceptive cadence at the end still makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up when I hear it.

Diana Ross (XVI)Velvet voice.

Natalie Cole <XXVIII)The arrangement, though dramatic and over the top musically, was very creative and original. Natalie was an amazing talent.

Luther Vandross (XXXI)Although the substitution chords and arrangement of this performance were extremely stylized, it was in total keeping with how Luther heard things and provided him with his own unique musical style and sound. A truly unique gift.

Beyonce (XXXVIII)Her pitch was perfect and the chances she took embellishing the melody with her vocal range were extreme but with dead-on accuracy.

Jennifer Hudson (XLIII)I have to give this one five stars not just for originality of arrangement (chords and melody). Jennifer’s vocal performance was masterful.

Alicia Keys (XLVII)Playing the piano and singing that arrangement live like that took a tremendous amount of confidence. She gets a fifth star for the end of the anthem and how she treated the last phrase vocally, musical and arrangement-wise.

Cher (XXXIII)I’m a sucker for emotional endings with deceptive cadences and substation chords. And who doesn’t like Cher?

Lady Gaga (50) I would have given her five stars if she played the piano as well as sang.

Lloyd Geisler (III)He didn’t miss a note, and his pitch was perfect for the entirety.

Jim Nantz

Anchor, CBS Sports

Tom Sullivan and Up With People (X)Powerful, powerful scene on the field with Sullivan belting out a beautiful and touching version of the anthem with a chorus background.

Lady Gaga (50)I was there in person and was blown away. Now watching it again nearly a year later - it’s even better than I remember.

Whitney Houston (XXV)Everyone will have this in their top 10. Seeing this again made me sad. We lost a phenomenal talent far too young.

Diana Ross (XVI)I love everything she sings and have seen her in concert several times. She could’ve recited the alphabet and I would’ve put her in the top 10.

Pat O’Brien and Doc Severinsen (IV) Easily the most unique version of the anthem at Super Bowl. O’Brien didn’t sing it - he just narrated the lyrics while Doc played in the background. Not sure you could do something like this today - but I enjoyed it.

Jim Steeg

Former NFL executive vice president

Whitney Houston (XXV)It was unique and special, and it blew me away the first time I heard it.

Diana Ross (XVI)That was special. She was the first celebrity to do it. It transformed a lot of things surrounding the Super Bowl.

Beyonce (XXXVIII)Spectacular rendition that was overshadowed by the Janet Jackson fiasco. She wasn’t the name she is now, but she was spectacular.

Mariah Carey (XXXVI)It was one of those moments like Whitney Houston. She was the voice we needed to have at the time after 9/11.

Faith Hill (XXXIV)She did a great job and was one of the best to deal with.

Garth Brooks (XXVII)Garth embraced the Super Bowl. He did two concerts on Friday night and donated the proceeds to a youth center.

Tom Hedden

Composer, NFL Films

Whitney Houston (XXV)A brilliantly inventive orchestral arrangement that is both faithful enough to be patriotic and musically fluid and complex. The arrangement supports a flawless vocal performance with the backdrop of the Gulf War and all the subtext that a wartime anthem carries. Hindsight only deepens the power of Whitney Houston’s performance. Simply awesome.

Air Force Academy Chorale (VI)The choir sings beautifully and the arrangement is deftly done. I can’t get over how young they are nor divorce myself from the symbolism with Vietnam waiting.

Billy Joel (XXIII)Although not gifted with the pipes of Neil Diamond or Barry Manilow, Billy Joel delivers a pure, honest performance that very effectively draws in the crowd – my favorite male vocal.

The Dixie Chicks (XXXVII)Simple and direct enough to encourage the crowd to sing along but also deep and complex enough for those who just want to listen, the slight twang is just enough for the heartland but not strong enough to lose the coasts. This one gets my vote for best Country Music performance and best performance in a specific genre.

Colgate 13 (XIII)I really like this performance for its musicality, especially in light of the fact that the Colgate 13 is a college group. The performance and arrangement are both excellent.

Kelly Clarkson (XLVIKelly Clarkson holds her own, and the choir works well behind her. Giving her due credit for singing live, I’d have to say that this one scores quite well for me. Safe but effective.

Faith Hill (XXXIV)In the “beautiful woman with a nice voice” category, I put Faith Hill’s performance ahead of Cheryl Ladd and Vanessa Williams. Again, the back half of the arrangement is pretty bad, but her ending phrase is nice. These little kids are the best sign language interpreters.

Beyonce (XXXVIII)Beyonce is another entry in the category with Vanessa Williams, Cheryl Ladd and Faith Hill, but I still lean toward Faith, largely because I prefer the way she handled the finale. I know Lady Bey was shooting for Whitney, but that is not quite where she landed.

Jennifer Hudson (XLIII)It’s hard to put into words how Jennifer Hudson and Whitney Houston differ from the other talented singers but they certainly both have a special spark. Disappointingly, neither sang live.

Andrew Dansby

Music critic, Houston Chronicle

Wynton Marsalis (XX)I particularly liked that he didn’t try to soar on “... and the rockets’ red glare.” His version was understated and a little blue, unlike America during the Super Bowl, which is overstated and red.

Luther Vandross (XXXI)Vandross’ ability to sing has never been an issue. I just don’t often dig slow jams. But he exhibits incredible control and power on this perfect rendition.

Dixie Chicks (XXXVII)Harmonies are a great way to get through the tougher parts of this song. The Chicks’ harmonies are the best of the bunch that I heard.

Combined Military Academy Choirs (XXXIX)This one had a chant-like beauty that was quite moving, and the arrangement was assembled wondrously. Far better than the stiff (and super white) U.S. Air Force Academy Chorale version from 1972.

Alicia Keys (XLVII)Typically I don’t care for the song being slowed down too much, but Keys approached it with a slow-burning passion that was sincere and moving.

Cher (XXXIII)My appreciation for Cher is restricted to a pair of albums made between 1969 and 1971. Her voice (resembling a bear on a job interview) isn’t my thing, but to her credit she exhibits a little restraint and manages the song well.

Harry Connick Jr. (XXVI)This performance tiptoes the line of self-parody, but ultimately I liked the throwback jazzy style.

Renee Fleming (XLIX)So many people go for the trill-filled warble, it was refreshing to hear an opera singer sing the song fairly straight.

Neil Diamond (XXI)This one is the best recovery of the bunch. Diamond sounded phlegmy at the outset, but corrected his course and offered up an amazing Neil Diamond impersonation.

Herb Alpert (XXII)Like Marsalis but not as distinctive. But still, with just a little funk the trumpet approach can sound interesting. At its worst, though, it sounds like the call to the post at the Kentucky Derby.

Jackie Maldonado

Senior marketing manager, Houston Texans

Whitney Houston (XXV)

Beyonce (XXXVIII)

Choirs of the Armed Forces (XXXIX)

Jennifer Hudson (XLIII)

Jordin Sparks (XLII)

Faith Hill (XXXIV)

Luther Vandross (XXXI)

Kelly Clarkson (XLVI)

Dixie Chicks (XXXVII)

Carrie Underwood (XLIV)

Dave Kirk

Principal tuba, Houston Symphony

Wynton Marsalis (XX)Wynton Marsalis’ trumpet performance is gently melodic (contrasting the heavy hand characterizing other renditions), accompanied by subtle jazz harmonization. A Crescent City native son, Marsalis was then the toast of the town, having recently become the first musician to win a Grammy Award for debut albums in both the Classical and Jazz divisions.

The Dixie Chicks (XXXVI)The performance was preceded by a PA announcement encouraging viewers to ‘please join in the singing of our National Anthem’. The clear, ringing harmonic blend provided by the Dixie Chicks inspires many of the 67,000 fans (and many watching on TV, I suspect) to join in.

Natalie Cole (XXVII)Of the many gospel-tinged versions of the National Anthem, Natalie Cole’s is clearly the most effective, employing the great backup singing of the Atlanta University Center Chorus and a smooth groove provided by her accompanying musicians. Say Amen!!

Cheryl Ladd (XIV)The country vocal stylings Cheryl Ladd brings to her rendition are worth a listen. I’d forgotten about her fine voice apart from her status of being one of “Charlie’s Angels.” Did you know hers was one of the voices of TV’s “Josie and the Pussycats”?

Aaron Neville, Dr. John and Aretha Franklin (XL)This gospel-style rendition pays tribute to New Orleans and its efforts to rebuild after Hurricane Katrina. The lives of civil rights pioneers Rosa Parks and Coretta Scott King serve as additional inspiration for this most soulful anthem.

Neil Diamond (XXI)Neil Diamond’s performance represents his sound and style clearly. I believe thought you could play this for almost any older American and they would likely be able to identity the artist. Neil moves the tempo ahead freely - his anthem has a celebratory sense.

Whitney Houston (XXV)Whitney Houston’s expansive approach to the anthem set a new standard for many of the pop-oriented versions for Super Bowls to follow. Her arrangement is clearly oriented toward entertainment and away from solemnity.

Christina Aguilera (XLV)Christina Aguilera’s performance starts off well enough, but as it goes along, you may wonder what song she’s singing. She later issued a public apology for flubbing the lyrics.

Anita Seghal

Senior vice president, marketing and communications, Houston Astros

Whitney Houston (XXV)This performance still gives me chills. She put emotion into the words and sang it like it was her own personal song.

Cher (XXXIII)Extraordinary. Beautifully performed, great accompaniment by the signing hands, perfectly timed. She is mesmerizing.

Cheryl Ladd (XIV)I had no idea she had a good singing voice. I loved her on “Charlie’s Angels.” This was one of my favorites because she surprised me with her talent and probably kickstarted the celebrity trend.

Combined Military Academy Choirs (XXXIX) The symbolism of this performance, as well as the scale and complexity to curate this, makes it one of my favorites.

Harry Connick Jr.(XXVI)A bit slow, but I loved his voice, his outfit and his hairdo. The band behind him was great. Very cool show.

Luther Vandross (XXXI)Gotta love Luther: a touch of R&B and a touch of soul. Even the Packers coach (Mike Holmgren, shown applauding) was impressed. Classic.

Mariah Carey (XXXVI)This was Mariah when she was at her best: clear, strong voice, very smart and beautiful accompaniment with some very patriotic props. She had the crowd in her hand.

Carrie Underwood (XLIV)I am not sure if the National Anthem gets the credit for bringing a player to tears, as this one did, but this earns a vote for that anyway. She was impressive

Alicia Keys (XLVI)A little trilly at times and she added a line. Got my vote because I loved the piano and it did not appear as lip syncing. It was well-choreographed in terms of show and timing.

Beyoncé (XXXVIII)Her voice is so strong and naturally patriotic.

Mathew Knowles

President and CEO, Music World Entertainment

(tie). Whitney Houston (XXV)She was good vocally, but I didn’t like that she sang the song wearing a track suit.(tie). Beyonce (XXXVIII)I based this a lot on the audience response. She hit every touch point she needed to hit.(tie). Kathie Lee Gifford (XXIX)She was singing at night (to a darkened stadium), so while she didn’t have the best vocals she had the best production values.

Mariah Carey (XXXVI)This was another nighttime performance, which gave her an edge in production value. I liked her approach and the audience response.

Natalie Cole (XXVIII)She took a risk with her arrangement. Mixing in “America the Beautiful” while the choir snag the anthem was fulfilling to me.

Faith Hill (XXXIV)I liked her pop-country approach.

Lady Gaga (50)Such a unique voice and such artistry and creativity. Did you notice she was different colored shoes?

Jennifer Hudson (XLIII)Such a powerful voice.

Cher (XXXIII)I never would have guessed she would be on this list, but her voice and the song just meshed.

Jewel (XXXII)

Rich Eisen

Anchor, NFL Network

Beyoncé (XXXVIII)Thanks to the birth of the term “wardrobe malfunction” due to the disaster that followed at halftime of that game, this beautiful, moving, booming rendition of the national anthem by a native Houstonian in Houston got completely lost. Also happened to be the first Super Bowl national anthem I saw in person for NFL Network. Still ranks as tops

Billy Joel (XLI)Prior to his Thursday press conference to announce his performance of the anthem, Billy sat in the NFL Network green room with a member of NFL PR who gave him only one wish on behalf of the league for when he spoke to the press: whatever you do, please don’t mention how long you think the song will last. You see, some folks apparently gamble on the length of someone’s rendition of the National Anthem. Joel nodded his head OK, ambled to the podium and then, in his opening remarks, talked about how honored he was to sing the National Anthem at the Super Bowl for a second time and how he thought “the song should go on for about 90 seconds maybe a little longer.” Boom. Sure enough, two days later, Billy Joel clocked in at 1:32. Classic.

Lady Gaga (50)Knowing what I knew from the Billy Joel escapade, I couldn’t wait to check Twitter after Lady Gaga finished her rendition of The Star Spangled Banner with one extra, higher-register dining of the finishing line “home of the brave.” It sounded completely ad-libbed, especially since the traditional military jet flyover arrived during the initial singing of “home of the brave.” In other words, Lady Gaga double-braved. I still don’t know which “home of the brave” the so-called timing authorizes used as the official end of the song. Either way, intrigue arrived before the game.

Cheryl Ladd (XIV)You could have given me a million guesses as to who performed the Star Spangled Banner prior to Vince Ferragamo’s vain attempt at staving off a fourth Lombardi Trophy for Terry Bradshaw’s Steelers at the Rose Bowl and I would have never guessed Cheryl Ladd. Thanks for having me a part of this endeavor to know that my favorite Charlie’s Angel of all time had a role in Super Bowl lore. And nailed it.

Jerome Solomon

Chronicle columnist

Whitney Houston (XXV)That voice. That presence. Simply outstanding. Brought a slight taste of gospel, some soul and personal flair. No matter how many times you hear this rendition, it ever disappoints. It just doesn’t get any better.

Luther Vandross (XXXI)Thanks to his signature sound and rhythm, Vandross’ soulful rendition is one you can dance to. More would do it like this if they had his talent. Many ruin the song by trying.

Renee Fleming (XLIX)With such an amazing and beautiful voice, how could she go wrong? When the anthem is done by a great artist, you should leave knowing how special that artist is. This entire performance seemed larger than life.

Military Academy Choirs (XXXIX)The best choir rendition. The group showed that the song can be done fast and very good. The refrain at the end made it even better.

Carrie Underwood (XLIV)She belted it out with vigor and wasn’t afraid to stretch her voice to the limit. It held strong. Acapella at its best. Impressive.

Jennifer Hudson (XLII)Beautiful music accompaniment set the tone, but she took control, showing off her incredible voice from start to finish. Marvelous.

Cher (XXXII)Unusual ending arrangement, but it set up a strong finish. You know it’s her, but it doesn’t ruin the song for me.

Beyoncé (XXXVIII)Well done and surprisingly subtle. She didn’t make the song about her but delivered enough for you to recognize who it was. A very strong finish.

Air Force Academy Chorale (VI)Simple, pure. Not even the flyover near the end could ruin it. This recording should be played at events when no live singer is available. It’s the standard.

Diana Ross (XVI)Her silky voice of silk made this acapella version. She kept it simple, which made it even better.

Richard Bado

Chorus master, Houston Grand Opera

Renée Fleming (XLIX)

Whitney Houston (XXV)

Jennifer Hudson (XLIII)

Wynton Marsalis (XX)

Beyonce (XXXVIII)

Air Force Academy Chorale (VI)

Luther Vandross (XXXI)

Children’s Choir (XIX)

Natalie Cole (XXVIII)

Vanessa Williams (XXX)

Robert Thompson

Director, Bleier Center for Television and Popular Culture, Syracuse University

Luther Vandross (XXXI)The national anthem is usually performed as a ritual before special occasions, but this smooth and lush performance would be at home on the playlist of a candlelit dinner.

The Power SingersAs a song, “The Star-Spangled Banner” is a tough sell. It’s often at its best when belted out by a powerful female voice. Whitney Houston, of course, set the gold standard, but all three of these have made Francis Scott Key’s odd little 1814 poem sound way better that he ever could have imagined:

Whitney Houston (XXV)

Beyonce (XXXVIII)

Jennifer Hudson (XLIII)

Simple Elegance

Diana Ross (XXXVII)

Alicia Keys (XLVII

The Combined Choirs of the Armed Services (XXXIX)If the principal role of the national anthem is to evoke a soaring feeling of patriotism, it doesn’t get much better than this.

Wynton Marsalis (XX)Trumpeters were a national anthem fixture in the first decades of the Super Bowl. The brassy candor of the instrument was a perfect fit for a football field, and for the martial content of the song’s lyrics, which were implied but not heard in the trumpet performances by Lloyd Geisler (1969), Tommy Loy (1971) and Herb Alpert (1988). My favorite of the bunch was Marsalis, who did a lot of fancy, subtle little things within his workmanlike interpretation.

The Dixie Chicks (XXXVII)

Neil Diamond (XXI)A sentimental favorite. Don’t ask.

Mark Clague

Assistant professor, University of Michigan; chairman, Star Spangled Music Foundation

Whitney Houston (XXV)Part of it is context (with the first Gulf War) and part is the sheer joy with which she sings it. Singing it in 4-4 is far from traditional, but she makes it sound traditional.

Lady Gaga (50)She puts her hand over her heart at the beginning, and she seems to feel the words. There’s a little musical theater, but she sounds sincere.

Tom Sullivan and Up With People (X)Tom Sullivan sings with such power. You don’t often hear a male singer reach for the high notes at the end.

Natalie Cole (XXXVIII)This is a pretty wild arrangement, almost like a gospel church service. It’s gorgeously done, even though it isn’t traditional.

Kelly Clarkson (XLVI)I loved the driving snare drum rhythm. Her version showed determination and defiance and strength, and I loved the children’s choir. She lays it out there – confident and sincere.

Air Force Academy Chorale (VI)This was sung with great strength with a great arrangement, particulary on “And the rockets’ red glare …”

Kathy Lee Gifford (XXIX)This surprised me, too. She seemed to be having the time of her life. It’s a busy arrangement, but it has great strength and sincerity.

Bay Area Children’s Choir (XIX)It’s hard to work with a children’s group, but I love this arrangement. I liked the living flag arrangement on the field. It was a reminder of the simpler days of the Super Bowl.

Wynton Marsalis (XX)The arrangement is off the charts with the magical and colorful piano chords. And his performance is so understated. It’s a very sensitive version, very different from the other trumpet players.

Trey Wingo

Anchor, ESPN

Whitney Houston (XXV)Hands down the best. Everything about it was perfect,

Jennifer Hudson (XLIII)I had forgotten how good this was.

Beyonce (XXXVIII)Great job.

Dixie Chicks (XXXVII)They really nailed it.

Jewel (XXXII)I loved the moment when she realized she didn’t have her hand over her heart and made a mid-song correction. Always a strong move.

Billy Joel (XXIII)You can hear the crowd singing behind him more than in any other performance.

Michelle McNulty

Supervising casting director, The Voice, NBC

Whitney Houston

Whitney Houston

Whitney HoustonAs far as I’m concerned, no one comes close to this performance. It is perfect! It is flawless! I could listen to this a million times and still get goosebumps and tears. She owned it in every way with no fear or hesitation. Her performance was relaxed and done with a confidence like no other. Her soaring notes, key changes with absolute control over the song and the crowd was breathtaking. She made the National Anthem, one of the most well-known songs, all her own! I don’t remember who played in that game, because Whitney Houston was the Super Bowl champion!

Jennifer Hudson If this was “The Voice,” that would be a four- chair moment in the first three seconds of the song. She has such emotion in her voice that is masterful! The build up to “The Star-Spangled Banner” is getting to “FREE,” but what she did vocally during “home of the brave” was a moment! She smashed this performance!

Faith Hill It started off slow, piquing my interest in what began as a very controlled, safe performance but then WOW! It just kept getting better and better!! David Foster’s arrangement was brilliant in allowing her to create these crystal clear moments with such grace throughout. By the end, the stadium is on their feet cheering for this country diva who is one of the best!

Luther VandrossThe range of the National Anthem lends itself to women more than men, but Luther nailed it with his silky, smooth skill! If you think he doesn’t have the range, you are sorely mistaken. Just listen to him build effortlessly to the end and bring it home beautifully.

BeyonceBeyonce! Queen B! She is always impeccable, precise and incredibly accurate in every performance, including this rendition of the National Anthem!

CherShe has such a unique voice that initially you wouldn’t think she could handle the range of the National Anthem, but this was surprisingly brilliant from her phrasing and styling and the use of her vibrato. But what really stood out to me was her overall joy and being in the moment. It all came through in her performance and made me Believe!

Dixie ChicksThe harmonies! The Dixie chicks created a texture and mood with these locked in harmonies! To do this and with the roar of the crowd as well as the delay or echo that was inevitably blaring back at them was exceptional.

Kathie Lee GiffordThis pick is surprising even to me, but here’s why Kathie Lee is in my top 10. She was committed and alive! She went for it and pulled it off even if you don’t necessarily like her vocal style. What I really loved was how completely over the top every moment of this performance was, from the lasers and fireworks before she even hits her first note. The shots of service men holding the flag as it waves in the breeze, the excitement as it continued to build, ending with fireworks and the jet flyover -- everyone in that stadium was ready for some football that day!

A list of prominent players and coaches who were shown by TV networks singing along with the National Anthem. Keep in mind that different networks showed different numbers of players during the various performances, some of which were easier to sing along with than others.

IX: Terry Bradshaw (Steelers)

XII: Red Miller (Broncos coach)

XIII: Chuck Noll (Steelers coach)

XV: Dick Vermeil, Harold Carmichael, Bill Bergey (Eagles)

XVI: Forrest Gregg, Ken Anderson (Bengals)

XX: Craig James, Tony Eason (Patriots)

XXI: John Elway (Broncos)

XXII: John Elway, Dan Reeves (Broncos)

XXIII: Boomer Esiason, Sam Wyche, Ickey Woods (Bengals)

XXIV: John Elway (Broncos), George Seifert (49ers coach)

XXVI: Jim Kelly, Bruce Smith (Bills)

XXVII: Jim Kelly, Marv Levy (Bills)

XXX: Deion Sanders (Cowboys)

XXXI: Keith Jackson (Packers)

XXXV: Tony Siragusa, Ray Lewis (Ravens)

XXXVII: Jerry Rice (Raiders)

XXXIX: Terrell Owens (Eagles), Tom Brady (Patriots)

XLI: Jeff Saturday (Colts)

XLIV: Drew Brees (Saints)

XLVI: Tom Brady (Patriots), Justin Tuck, Tom Coughlin (Giants)

XLVII: Ray Lewis (Ravens)

50: Gary Kubiak (Broncos coach)

Players and coaches shown hands or hats over their hearts during the anthem performances.

Super Bowls I and II no longer exist on videotape, so this is the first National Anthem performance available from a Super Bowl. Geisler was principal trumpet player with the National Symphony in Washington, D.C.

IV Doc Severinsen and Pat O’Brien 86.30 seconds

Severinsen, the longtime bandleader with The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, played trumpet while O’Brien, the veteran actor who played Notre Dame coach Knute Rockne in “The Knute Rockne Story,” recited the anthem – although, oddly enough, not in unison with Severinsen’s playing.

V Tommy Loy 73.32 seconds

Loy played trumpet for National Anthems at Dallas Cowboys games throughout most of the Tom Landry era with the Cowboys,

VI Air Force Academy Chorus 70.15 seconds

Oddly enough, the Air Force chorus’s final notes were drowned out by an Air Force flyover at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans.

VII Little Angels of Chicago 71.20 seconds

The children were members of Holy Angels Catholic Church in Chicago.

VIII Charley Pride 73.69 seconds

Pride, accompanied by the University of Texas band at Houston’s first Super Bowl at Rice Stadium, was the first country singer to perform the anthem.

IX Mardi Gras Chorus 92.20 seconds

Members of the Crescent City group belonged to the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America.

X Tom Sullivan/Up with People 114.18 seconds

Sullivan and the Up With People cast swapped lines during the first half of the anthem while Sullivan was the second half solo.

XI Vicki Carr 120.20 seconds

This was the only Super Bowl not to feature the National Anthem. Carr sang “God Bless America.”

XII Phyllis Kelly 87.50 seconds

Kelly, a soprano who attended Northeastern Louisiana University, was Miss Louisiana of 1978. She was accompanied by the Grambling University band.

XIII Colgate 13 78.96 seconds

The group is the second-oldest collegiate acapella choir in the nation.

XIV Cheryl Ladd 81.39 seconds

Ladd was best known for her role in the television series “Charlie’s Angels.”

XV Helen O’Connell 81.05 seconds

O’Connell was one of the top big band singers of the 1940s.

XVI Diana Ross 97.50 seconds

Performing in her home town of Detroit, Ross was the first major pop star to perform the Super Bowl anthem.

XVII Leslie Easterbook 88.16 seconds

Easterbrook was an actress who had supporting roles in “Laverne & Shirley” and the “Police Academy” films.

XVIII Barry Manilow 94.69 seconds

In keeping with the early trend of Super Bowl games, Manilow performed acapella.

XIX Bay Area Children’s Choir 81.03 seconds

The performance by three San Francisco Bay Area children’s choirs was a special request by NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle.

XX Wynton Marsalis 80.15 seconds

The Grammy Award-winning native of New Orleans was the first trumpet player to perform the anthem in more than a decade.

XXI Neil Diamond 61.55 seconds

After completing the shortest anthem performance to date, Diamond drew the ire of the Denver Broncos by slapping the back of New York Giants coach Bill Parcells as he ran off the field.

XXII Herb Alpert 92.43 seconds

Alpert was the fifth and, so far, the last featured trumpet player to perform the anthem at a Super Bowl.

XXIII Billy Joel 85.38 seconds

Joel, who sang acapella, is the only performer to have delivered two solo anthem performances at a Super Bowl.

XXIV Aaron Neville 91.35 seconds

Neville, like Marsalis a member of a famous New Orleans musical family, also performed the anthem in his home town.

XXV Whitney Houston 115.86 seconds

Accompanied by the Florida Orchestra, Houston’s rendition of the anthem later was released as a single, with proceeds benefiting veterans. She was the first Super Bowl singer to perform the anthem in 4-4 time.

XXVI Harry Connick Jr. 127.54 seconds

Connick reportedly had his father, the longtime district attorney of New Orleans, on the field with him to prompt him in case he had trouble remembering the words.

XXVII Garth Brooks 110.62 seconds

Brooks at one point refused to perform unless NBC carried through with a promise to play one of his music videos during the pregame show.

XXVIII Natalie Cole 152.54 seconds

Cole during the middle of the song sang a portion of “America the Beuatiful” while members of the Atlanta University Center Chorus sang the words to “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

XXIX Kathie Lee Gifford 98.12 seconds

Gifford was introduced to the crowd by her husband, former NFL star and ABC sportscaster Frank Gifford.

XXX Vanessa Williams 94.90 seconds

Williams’ performance was dedicated to the memory of the Challenger astronauts on the 10th anniversary commemoration of their deaths.

XXXI Luther Vandross 113.03 seconds

Vandross, like Whitney Houston, performed the song in 4-4 meter, but to an arrangement that had more of a backbeat than Houston’s performance with the Florida Orchestra.

XXXII Jewel 86.58 seconds

Performing in her home town of San Diego, Jewel’s prerecorded version started before she started lip-syncing.

XXXIII Cher 105.02 seconds

A new era of sorts in Super Bowl anthems: David Foster was announced before the performance as the anthem’s producer.

XXXIV Faith Hill 119.95 seconds

Hill would later become a fixture of NFL programming by singing the theme song for NBC’s “Sunday Night Football.”

XXXV Backstreet Boys 109.82 seconds

Microphone problems resulted in the line “Oh, say, does that star-spangled” being inaudible, which indicated, at least, that they performed live.

XXXVI Mariah Carey 116.06 seconds

Accompanied by the Boston Pops Orchestra, the NFL requested that Carey perform at the first Super Bowl following 9/11.

XXXVII Dixie Chicks 92.45 seconds

Less than three months later, the group was blacklisted by country radio after singer Natalie Maines made critical remarks about President George W. Bush during a concert in London.

XXXVIII Beyonce 127.76 seconds

Accompanied on the field by a small symphony orchestra, Beyonce is among a select few to sing the anthem in their hometown at a Super Bowl.

XLIX Military Academy Choirs 112.59 seconds

In similar fashion to an arrangement used by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, the combined choirs sang the first verse of the anthem and then reprised the final two lines.

XL Aaron Neville/Aretha Franklin 129.03 seconds

Neville, accompanied by Dr. John on piano, sang the first half of the song while Franklin sang the second half in a joint tribute to New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and Detroit, where the game was played.

XLI Billy Joel 89.93 seconds

Joel accompanied himself on piano for his second Super Bowl performance. He is the last male singer to perform the anthem at the game.

XLII Jordin Sparks 114.09 seconds

The daughter of former NFL player Phillippi Sparks, the American Idol winner performed in her home town of Phoenix.

XLIII Jennifer Hudson 130.40 seconds

Hudson was the second consecutive American Idol contestant to perform the Super Bowl anthem.

XLIV Carrie Underwood 106.46 seconds

Another American Idol alumna, Underwood performed the anthem acapella.

XLV Christina Aguilera 112.96 seconds

Aguilera, alas, flubbed the lyrics. Rather than “O’er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming,” she sang, “What so proudly we watched at the twilight’s last gleaming.”

XLVI Kelly Clarkson 94.35 seconds

Clarkson, the first American Idol winner and a native Texan, said singing the Super Bowl anthem was one of the most nerve-wracking experiences of her career.

XLVII Alicia Keys 155.33 seconds

Accompanying herself on piano, Keys performed the longest anthem in Super Bowl history to date.

XLVIII Renee Fleming 121.80 seconds

The renowned soprano was the first opera performer to sing the Super Bowl anthem.

XLIX Idina Menzel 124.22 seconds

The Broadway star freestyled, in a manner of speaking, with no consistent time signature throughout her performance

50 Lady Gaga 139.94 seconds

Gaga returns to the Super Bowl this year as the halftime performer.

Super song: Gifford recalls her ‘triumphant moment’

Kathie Lee Gifford was born a natural performer – “I came out with a rimshot and a ‘ta da!’” she said – so of course she accepted when NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue called her before Super Bowl XXIX in 1995 and asked her to perform the National Anthem.

“It’s one of those things where you’re so honored that you say yes before you think about what is actually required of you, and then you hang up and scream ‘What have I done?’” Gifford said this week. “But you’ve gotta do it.”

Gifford, who now appears on NBC’s “Today,” said she remains proud of her version of the anthem, prepared by her longtime arranger Paul Mann, for two variations on the familiar song – going up, rather than down, to give a triumphal feel to the phrase “our flag was still there,” and for the closing extended chord progression.

“It’s a triumphant moment,” she said. “You’ve come through the darkest night, and you’re still a free nation. It was thrilling for me to sing it that way.”

Gifford had hoped to sing live but in keeping with NFL policy recorded a version that was played through the stadium sound system to a darkened stadium, accompanied by fireworks and a laser light show that was unique among Super Bowl anthem presentations.

Still, there were a few moments of tension. She had to time her lip syncing to match the delay from the sound system inside Miami’s Joe Robbie Stadium. And while she wasn’t flying blind, she was visually impaired as she walked to the field: Her makeup artist jabbed a mascara wand into one eye, and her hairdresser blasted hairspray into her other eye.

And then, her husband, ABC sportscaster and Pro Football Hall of Famer Frank Gifford, went off script. After promising to deliver an impersonal introduction, he announced to the stadium crowd that the anthem would be performed by “my wife, Kathie Lee Gifford.”

“I was furious,” she said, laughing. “I thought, oh, now people think this is a nepotism thing. I know he was trying to be loving and fun, but I wanted to kick his butt – and I did later.”

That day, though, remained a treasured family memory. The couple’s son, Cody, then age 5, and their daughter, Cassidy, spent the day at the stadium, “and I remember thinking what an honor it was to live in a country like this where each of us, in our own way, can provide something of service,” Gifford said.

“Frank was doing what was natural to him, and I had been singing for decades,” she said. “We all have something we can offer. I wanted to honor my country and be true to all of those who have sacrificed to defend it.”

Gifford said the family continued to throw Super Bowl parties for years before her husband’s death in 2015, and Frank Gifford each year pulled out a DVD of her performance to play for guests.

As a traditionalist, though, she said she is not fond of the vocal trills and riffs that current-day singers add to the anthem. The focus, she said, should always be the lyrics.

“My husband framed a letter we received a veteran who said, ‘Kathie Lee, I listened to you, and you made me so proud to have served our country,’” she said. “Everybody has critics, but when you get a letter from someone like that, an American hero, it meant a lot to me.”